In the News: candidates pull papers, regional dispatch center, St Rocco Festival

Two pull papers to run for Franklin Town Council

An incumbent councilor and a Finance Committee member have taken out nomination papers for a seat on the Town Council, while an incumbent School Committee member has pulled papers to return to that board.

Franklin council backs regional dispatch center

A regional dispatch center for the towns of Franklin, Wrentham, Plainville and Norfolk is one step closer to reality after the Franklin Town Council voted to move the project forward.

St. Rocco's Festival schedule of events

The 35th Annual Feast of St. Rocco gets underway in Franklin tonight, Thursday, Aug. 8, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 11, on the festival grounds across from the Franklin Town Common.

"It will take lots of money to fix the roads"

The DPW presented a plan to bring the roads currently rated 69 or less up to good condition at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday night. A copy of the presentation will be posted to the DPW webpage on Thursday and then shared here. (Actually update on Aug 12th)

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2013%20Roadway%20Presentation.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZXVxdDQ5VFZGNnM/view?usp=sharing

Knowing I was going to get a copy of the presentation, I did not spend time capturing the numbers. It is likely some of the forecasted numbers could change anyway. Especially with regards to the Chap 90 funding and the local budget. Priorities change overtime and this is shown in the variability of the funding over the last several years.

While the funding is variable, it is clear that in order to fix the roads, it will take lots of money. Now the question becomes where do we get the money? One piece of the proposal is to put forward an override dedicated to roads. Naysayers will jump up and say that is all well and good for the first year but then it will go to the general funds and we'll not see it again so they'll come back asking for more. That would be true except that there is now a dedicated override. The legislation was changed to provide for this feature where some amount of money approved by the voters/tax payers would be dedicated in perpetuity for a specific purpose. In our case, it would be for the roads.

Tina Powderly expressed her approval for such a funding proposal to be put before the voters. Jeff Roy sort of agreed but then said with a new Council coming with the November elections, that such a decision should be left for them. No action was expected to be taken last night. If something does get scheduled before the election, you'll hear about it here. I suspect, the decision will wait for the new Council to decide upon.

The notes from the full Town Council meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting - legislation, comments and closing...
• Live reporting: DPW proposal on road repairs
• Live reporting: Town Council - Aug 7, 2013

If you haven't seen the road report mentioned, you can find it here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

Public hearing: Draft 2013 Master Plan

Franklin’s Master Plan Committee will hold a public hearing to receive public input on the DRAFT 2013 Town of Franklin Master Plan. The hearing is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the conference room at Franklin Public Library. The Master Plan Committee developed documents, reviewed research and data, and obtained public input to outline and compose a Master Plan for the community. The draft report includes an Existing Conditions Report, Goals and Objectives and an Implementation Plan.

Early in the Master Plan rewrite process, the Master Plan Committee worked to develop general goals and a vision for the Town. The Town's current Mission Statement helped lead the Committee to the development of a new Mission Statement for the Master Plan Committee with a goal of adopting the Mission for Franklin as a community:

“Franklin is a community committed to high quality education and the superb delivery of public services. We strive to attract and retain businesses, both profit and non-profit, that grow our economy, create jobs, and contribute to a vibrant downtown center. We are committed to cultivating accessible open space, a sense of neighborhood, and a desire to preserve the character of our New England town. We support the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within the Town of Franklin, and across the regional transportation network, by providing a range of integrated transportation options. We are a community dedicated to effective planning, responsible land use, balanced growth, responsive government, racial, religious and economic diversity, and care and concern for its citizens and the environment. We value our arts, cultural and natural resources, heritage, and history, in order to foster a well-balanced community.”

The public hearing will give residents the opportunity to comment on the draft document. The Draft Plan was formulated as a result of public input received from public hearings held in May of 2012, review of the 1997 Master Plan, input from Town Officials, various Departments and Master Plan Committee members.

The public input period is open until August 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. A copy of the Draft Plan is available online at http://town.franklin.ma.us/pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/doc, at Franklin Public Library or at the Department of Planning & Community Development in Franklin Municipal Building.

Public input will be utilized to formulate the final document. Comments received will be reviewed by the Master Plan Committee and incorporated into a final Master Plan document to be endorsed by the Planning Board and Town Council at meetings during the week of September 16, 2013.

The Master Plan Committee members are Jeffrey Roy, Chairman, Matt Kelly, Vice Chairman, Andy Bissanti, Secretary, Christi Apicella, Nathan Carlucci, John Carroll, David F. Dobrzynski, Jay Duncan, James Esterbrook , Gene Grella, Jeff Livingstone, Greg Rondeau, Timothy C. Twardowski, and Chris Vericker.

The Committee has a website on the Franklin Town page at:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Masterplan.

It also has a presence on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FranklinMasterPlan.

Residents can offer input online at either site.

In addition, written comments can be submitted to the following address:

Franklin Master Plan Committee at Planning and Community Development,
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Grand Re-Opening: Get In Shape for Women

Get In Shape For Women, the national fitness studio franchise that offers small-group personal training for women in a private, upscale environment, is proud to announce the Grand Re-Opening of its Franklin, MA studio under new management. 

Get In Shape For Women, located at 9 Summer Street in Franklin, MA, is celebrating its Grand Re-Opening this Saturday, August 10, 2013 between 12:30 and 2:30 PM. The new management team will be offering guided tours of the studio in addition to door prizes, games, and refreshments. This personalized training facility offers a 12-week transformation program for busy women in a comfortable facility with all the tools they need to succeed.

Franklin’s New Manager Linda Caplan says Get In Shape For Women stands out from other fitness facilities because, “It's the only single group training program in the country that offers women personalized training sessions bundled with informative and insightful nutritional planning.”

Caplan said Get In Shape specializes in "transitioning" - taking clients from a deconditioned and unhealthy state to conditioned and healthy by monitoring four variables: 

- Weight training to increase muscle tone and metabolism
- Cardiovascular training to burn fat and calories faster
- Nutrition to learn the proper way to eat and control weight
- Accountability; they check weight and measure body fat every two weeks to establish a baseline and ensure results

"When you reach your goal, maintenance is easier if you continue the behavior that got you there," said Caplan. "Otherwise, it's natural for the body to return to its previous state and fall away from the goals you've set.”

“Clients schedule their 60 minute appointments in person or on the phone. The typical client makes three to five visits a week,” said Maria Spiewakowski, the new owner of the Get In Shape For Women studio in Franklin. "The greatest thing about this model is that we're able to offer personal training at a fraction of a cost of others. The ladies have a great time on the floor. They actually enjoy getting in shape. We aim to make the atmosphere as fun as possible.”

"A lot of people go to the gym for a long time without being monitored and don't achieve the results they desire. People are always going to fall off a little, but monitoring them helps pull them back in," says Jim Earl, full time trainer and nutrition expert at the Franklin studio.

Clients go through their workouts to a cue CD that keeps everyone on track. Personal trainers supervise their breathing, form and technique to progress people and help them push their bodies. The usual session is an hour.

Caplan says the response to the new management team has been overwhelming. “The ladies walk through the door and are greeted by a positive, smiling team. In return, they have a grin from ear to ear! We make sure they feel welcome and reassure each and every client that their transformation is our number one priority,” said Caplan. 

The Franklin studio has a variety of different equipment that allow clients to perform different functions such as free weights, functional training stations, treadmills, and elliptical machines. In addition, the Franklin studio has just added the TRX Suspension Training System and Kettlebells to their fitness offerings.

Caplan enjoys her work because she loves interacting with clients and helping them to reach their fitness goals. "I’ve always wanted to have a positive impact on people’s lives. No words can explain the feeling I get when I see someone succeed at reaching their goals. This isn’t a job, it’s a blessing.”

Get In Shape For Women has hours from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.

Call Linda Caplan at 508-530-3072 or Email Franklin@GetInShapeForWomen.com to inquire about a Free Session and Consultation.

Feel free to learn more about the Franklin studio on its Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/GetInShapeFranklin. 

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zavzq9HhlBU

MassBudget: Analyzing the FY 2014 Budget

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the FY 2014 Budget  The FY 2014 budget describes the state's spending plans - and its priorities - for the coming year. Since all of the Governor's funding-related vetoes have been overridden, the final budget largely mirrors the proposal produced by the legislature. This includes: State-wide investments to fix and repair our transportation system Roughly $100 million in additional funding for higher education--which is still 25% lower than the funding level from 2001 (adjusted for inflation) The first increase in general local aid for cities and towns in six years. Local aid funding, however, remains 46% below the 2001 level (adjusted for inflation) Our final FY 2014 Budget Monitor shows how the budget affects programs in Health Care, Education, Transportation, Youth Employment, and beyond - including information on Revenue.    In addition, a new fact sheet, "Health Care in the FY 2014 Budget," provides a more detailed summary of the proposals for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other subsidized health coverage programs. It is part of a series of FY 2014 reports describing the effect of various budget proposals on Health Care programs in Massachusetts. The series is produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute - and published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI).      Read our BUDGET MONITOR  Read about HEALTH CARE IN THE FY 2014 BUDGET See all of our BUDGET RESOURCES The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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In the News: Vinnie DeBaggis, St Rocco's, firefighter grant

As St. Rocco Festival begins, a tribute to 'the Don'

Vinnie DeBaggis was known for many things: His pleasant demeanor, his philanthropy, his volunteerism, his devotion to his family, church and town, and his ubiquitous presence at every Feast of St. Rocco in Franklin since St. Mary’s Parish began celebrating it 35 years ago.

St. Rocco's Festival schedule of events

The 35th Annual Feast of St. Rocco gets underway in Franklin tonight, Thursday, Aug. 8, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 11, on the festival grounds across from the Franklin Town Common.

Franklin gets $741K for firefighters

The Fire Department was awarded a $741,920 grant Thursday to cover the salary and benefits of four new firefighters, thereby eliminating a personnel deficit that has burdened the department since 2011.

General Cable employee stable following accident

A 54-year-old employee of General Cable is in stable condition at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester after suffering serious injuries Tuesday at the company’s 20 Forge Parkway location.

Live reporting - legislation, comments and closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Senior subcommittee working on proposals to bring to the Council

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-57: Submittal to Town Clerk of Final Form of Ballot Question, RE: Proposed Charter Amendment Changing Treasurer-Collector From Elected to Appointed Position
motion to approve, seconded,  pass 9-0

The language follows the statutory procedure
We do not need to include the actual charter language, do need to send to the voter before hand

Jim Dacey - I am 100% in favor of this
I hear the town should be run more like a business, appointing is the right way to go


2. Resolution 13-58: Intermunicipal Agreement For Regional Public Safety Communications and Dispatch Center
motion to approve, seconded, pass 9-0

Chief Gary McCarragher, I would urge you to approve this
it will allow us to do it better faster and cheaper

Rep Roy - I would urge support, I did use up some political capital to get this
the faciltiy will be state of the art, four communities can benefit from this
there are so many good things about this
I would urge the Council to support this

Nutting - I want to thank Rep Roy, we have been waiting for this
once he got elected, this got moving
the other three towns got this on their selectmens agenda in Sep/Oct

3. Resolution 13-59: Authorization to Sign Amended Regulatory Agreement
Kelly recused himself

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0, 1 abstained
better to get folks into the building for less money rather than hold out for a higher price

Cornetta - ZBA did approve this in late July

4. Resolution 13-60: Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

inlieu of putting a sidewalk in front of the gas station,
motion to amend sidewalks at West Central St, passed 9-0

5. Bylaw Amendment 13-718:Amendment to Chapter 185§7-Compliance Required – 2nd Reading
motion to conitnue to sep 4th


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
FEMA has award of grant of $700+K to hire four firefighters with wages and benefits
it took awhile to get this but it is great news, looking to recruit ASAP

sold $50M worth of bonds, about 4% a little higher than thought but lower than the override specified
thanks to Jim Dacey for doing this good work
we have maintained our bond rating which is good news

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Powderly - request to Citizens Committee, wish for Bennedetto, proposals all for sale of properties, would like to see other area public services, etc. would love to see applied to other areas of the town

Pfeffer - request a copy of last five years paid to ATC

Jones - Sep 4th meeting of EDC would like to listen to any ideas

Cornetta - as mentioned earlier BayState Dev is interested in Pond St property
some kind of general RFP, solicit ideas not just a specific proposal wold like to offer that idea to the Council

Vallee - we are looking for new ideas, we would like to see something specific

McDowell - we could pull something together for that by the 4th

Nutting- this is a public process and has legal complications, traffic, etc.

Mercer - I'd like to see them go to the EDC first and come to us later with a recommendation

Bissanti - this is a general argument about the general RFP

Nutting - an expression of interest is different from an RFP, it is a two step process. If you want to sell the land, you can do that but I think the town wants to control what goes in there. long legal process according to statue. The EDC needs to put its arms around what it wants.

Jones - there have been a few ideas around this property, it would be good to see some more specific ideas

Cornetta - from a developers perspective, they can come up with a proposal/concept, there is a competitive environment, they wouldn't want to come forward and have some one take their idea to run with it.

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mercer - Bldg committee 8/21 in council chambers on phase of the high school project
7:00 PM

Bldg Committee meeting on the 19th will be discussing the options for Davis Thayer
meeting at 6:30 in Training room upstairs

Kelly - Did see Bob Dean, recently, he was out and about

Powderly - thank you to the Chief, tonight was a big win-win

Pfeffer - Dean College put up a wrought iron fence, it looks very good
congrats to Rick's and Police Dept for fostering helmets with ice cream coupons
thanks to Rep Roy for getting his first legislation through for the regional dispatch

Jones -  the EDC is open and unbiased
I have posted what I hope to be an annual paint ball challenge, all proceed to go to the Franklin Food Pantry

Roy - Master Plan public hearing this Saturday, at the Library 10:00 AM
public comment period open until Aug 16th


O.EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Town Administrator’s Contract
motion to approve, passed 9-0 via roll call